Final Record Of Decision

This is the Final Record of Decision (ROD) of the Coronado National Forest response to the mine plan of operations (MPO) submitted for the Rosemont Copper Project. The Final ROD documents the decision of the Forest Supervisor, along with the rationale for the decision and alternatives considered in reaching the decision. The Final ROD includes a discussion of preferences among alternatives based on relevant factors and how those factors were considered in reaching the decision, as well as mitigation and monitoring measures that are required by this decision. The Final ROD also documents changes and additions to the MPO deemed necessary by the Coronado. The Final ROD also includes a decision to amend the 1986 “Coronado National Forest Land and Resource Management Plan” (referred to as the “forest plan”), which will create a new forest management area (MA) for which specific standards and guidelines will be established relative to a large-scale mining operation. Questions & answers about the Final ROD can be found here.

FEIS and ROD Errata

This errata sheet documents corrections to the text of the published FEIS and ROD. These corrections reflect minor errors and omissions discovered after the release of the FEIS and ROD, as well as specific changes directed by the Regional Forester during the objection process. This document should be reviewed along with the FEIS and ROD.

Objections Process and Timeframe

The objection filing period opened January 1, 2014 and closed February 14, 2014. The Reviewing Officer, Regional Forester Cal Joyner issued a written response to the objections on June 13, 2014. The Coronado Forest Supervisor issued a written response to the Regional Forester on March 29, 2016. Additional information on the objection process follows:

FEIS Volume 6 - Appendices F-G

* The Appendix G Commenter Index pdf was updated on 12/12/13 due to a formatting error that affected 13 of the 25017 individual submissions listed (only those with a large amount of comments). Once the problem was identified, the Forest quickly responded and made all corrections. We apologize for any inconvenience.

* Republication of Appendix G - November 2015 - Following publication of the FEIS and the draft record of decision (ROD), in January 2014 the Forest Service initiated a formal objection process. The Forest Service received 101 eligible objections, which were reviewed by the Regional Forester. On June 13, 2014, the Regional Forester provided direction to the Coronado National Forest Supervisor in response to the eligible objections. The Regional Forester’s direction included the following instruction: “Republish Appendix G to include all Public Concern Statements and responses (not a subset as is currently printed). Also, to meet the requirements of Section 102(c) of NEPA, include scanned copies of actual letters received by Federal, State, and local agencies and elected officials [see NEPA and FSH 1909.15_25.1(3)].” As instructed, appendix G has been republished to include all Public Concern Statements and responses, as well as copies of all letters received by Federal, State, and local agencies and elected officials. The republished appendix replaces the appendix published in the FEIS in December 2013.